African Impact: Responsible Volunteer Projects in Africa

We believe that volunteers can make a real difference in local communities and game reserves, in fact we've seen it with our own eyes! We have over 80 volunteer programs in Southern and East Africa in the areas of community development, teaching, HIV/AIDS awareness, rural family support, healthcare, photography, wildlife research, marine conservation, sports coaching, community building, and wildlife rehabilitation.

African Impact is a multi-award winning volunteer travel organisation offering meaningful interactive volunteer projects and internship programs throughout Southern and East Africa. Founded in 2004 in Zimbabwe, we have 10 years' experience and have facilitated over 10,000 volunteers in 12 countries across the continent, making us the largest on-the-ground African specialists in volunteer tourism.

Our projects are run by African Impact staff on the ground so we have overall control of ensuring they are managed responsibly and sustainably; and in the best interests of the communities we impact. We offer volunteers a safe and rewarding experience with 24 hour support, full induction programs and plenty of opportunities for fun and travel!

Our Responsible Approach to Developing Projects

To ensure the sustainability of our projects, we thoroughly evaluate each potential project with a detailed scorecard before setting up a volunteering program. This involves analysing the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of a project as well as its long-term viability and impact. Also, every single one of our projects has community stakeholders. We won't run a project unless the community not only wants us there, but actually has ownership of the project. Community buy-in is essential.

At African Impact we take a holistic approach to the implementation and running of our projects. We always aim to integrate ourselves into every level of the community working from grass roots to local governments. We have a core emphasis on learning and empowerment for all involved – changing the lives of people in the communities we impact, our volunteers and all African Impact staff.

Listing Details

We seek to maximise the positive impact of voluntourism in Africa, both for volunteers and for communities and conservation efforts. To us, volunteering is a two-way thing. It’s not just about the hands-on help and skills that volunteers bring; it’s also about what this amazing continent, its people and its wildlife can give those volunteers in return. We work with charities, community stakeholders and organisations on the ground to ensure that we are providing support where it is most needed, and bring about the biggest possible impact.

Volunteers looking to join our programs must enquire online and will be taken through a comprehensive booking process with our friendly Destination Managers. This includes completion of booking forms, submission of required documents as well as a police clearance check.

Certification

Volunteers will receive a certificate of participation and a written reference upon request.

Funding information

We encourage volunteers to fundraise for their trip to help with costs. They can do this via an online crowdfunding platform with Volunteer Forever (www.volunteerforever.com). We are also able to supply a Fundraising Pack with some fun ideas for raising additional fees.